What is a mold inspection? Is it possible to be ultimately “cleaned” of any mold growth inside my home? With all the talk of mold damage and mold removal growing in popularity, the answer is YES! A mold inspection can identify mold growth and destroy it before it can cause problems to your health or the health of your family. If mold has been growing for a while, it can harm your health and even be a severe health issue.
An inspection conducted by a trained professional is one of the most reliable ways of determining whether or not you have a mold problem inside your home. By doing the proper mold testing, the professional will tell you if the mold you have in your home is benign or if there might be other health concerns. The most common type of mold which exists in homes is mold. However, mold or mildew, also occasionally known as fungus, is a naturally occurring component of the atmosphere and plays a significant role in nature; indoors, mold can grow on many different surfaces throughout the home.
Mold and mildew are usually visible to the naked eye but can hide very well under carpets, drapes, and in the hidden corners of your house. The most common mold inspection service is to inspect for visible signs of mold, such as white patches or green-colored spots on drywall or wood. Most mold inspections will also include examining structural elements such as walls, ceilings, doors, windows, basement walls, or other areas. Sometimes, mold can hide behind sheetrock, so having a professional inspect your walls will give you a better idea of the extent of the problem.
The main goal of mold inspections is to detect potential health threats from spores carried in the air. A review for visible mold growth may indicate other hidden health issues, such as excess moisture in the home, poor indoor air quality, or other structural integrity problems. It’s essential to have your mold inspections performed by professionals who are certified in the field. These mold inspectors should have extensive knowledge of the types of mold and the best methods for removing it.
It’s not unusual for an inspector to ask you to perform several inspections to find all of the issues he refers to. Some people are not comfortable having a professional inspect their homes for mold, so they request additional testing of unseen mold or hidden moisture. Whether this is necessary depends on the situation. For example, it may be more expensive to have testing done for visible mold growth than to have it done for unseen mold. Also, some mold removal products may be too harsh to test for but not necessary to remove.
If you consider having a mold inspection performed, ask the inspector to perform a visual assessment only to see if there are visible health concerns, and then ask him to perform additional testing for moisture and structural issues. By doing this, you’ll get an objective, independent opinion about the condition of your home. The inspector may even suggest ways to remedy the problem before you ever have to face it. Check also residential air quality testing for more information.